Friluftsliv in Croatia at luxury nature resort at the heart of wilderness

A new Scandinavian trend at Linden Tree Retreat & Ranch

We have found out that what we do at Linden Tree Retreat & Ranch has already got a name in Scandinavia – friluftsliv. What other people call the trend, we call lifestyle. You can find all about it if you visit luxury nature resort in Croatia.

“Meet friluftsliv (pronounced free-loofts-liv), a concept of Swedish and Norwegian descent that directly translates as “free air life.” While this super-fun-to-say word may be new to us, it’s been part of the Scandinavian culture for decades. Swedes and Norwegians experience fresh air and the outdoors as a natural part of their daily routine. Friluftsliv allows [them] to create a balanced way of living, where more time can be spent enjoying the fun things in life, making them just that extra bit happier and healthier,” says Frida Harju, the in-house nutritionist at Swedish health app Lifesum.

The Scandinavian people who have been living the friluftsliv life for years have already proven that they have plenty to teach us. Countries in this region regularly index among the world’s healthiest and most content nations. As with hygge and lagom, we’re all ears about how we can use the principles of friluftsliv to optimize our own lives. We asked Harju (who, in addition to being a health expert, is a Swede herself!) for some tips on how to incorporate this new-to-us trend. Read on for her insights!

6 friluftsliv tips we’ve already got at Linden Tree

Get out of your routine

Friluftsliv is about experiencing fresh air and nature, and an important parallel to that is engaging in active hobbies. Look for opportunities to switch up your tried-and-true gym routine with new activities that will get your body moving outdoors, like skiing, hiking, playing a casual game of soccer with friends, or lacing up your sneakers and spending the day exploring your city on foot.

Make your next vacation an active one

According to Harju, many Swedes prefer active vacations to lazy beach getaways, so switching up your normal vacation is a great way to incorporate friluftsliv into your life. There are plenty of adventurous trips out there to check out! If you’re strictly a spa and poolside girl, though, it doesn’t mean you can’t reap any of the benefits of friluftsliv. “Make sure to make the most of any surrounding nature by going on long walks in the forest, swimming in a beautiful lake, or hiking up a hill to enjoy a pretty view,” Frida says.

Shift your social life

Consider how you might be able to spend your free time differently on the weekends. While we totally understand the temptation to orient your social life around happy hours and wine night with the girls, mixing things up by spending more time being active outside with pals is an easy way to boost your wellness. “Before hitting the bar, it is likely that you will find the Swedes outdoors, hanging out with friends, doing activities that are not in any way associated with alcohol,” Harju says.

Wear layers

If your response to all of this is, “But it’s cold outside!” we have some news for you: It’s really cold in Sweden too! Harju recalls an old expression that she and her fellow Swedes heard as children: “There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.” This saying is deeply rooted in friluftsliv, so throw on another jacket and get moving!

Be active every day

“Friluftsliv does not only involve forests and berry picking,” Harju says. “The concept also includes Swedes trusting their bodies to be their best possible tools for getting around.” To truly live the friluftsliv way, you need to make movement a natural part of the way you live your life. Opt out of ordering takeout and walk a few blocks to grab dinner, park your car a little farther from the grocery store or take the stairs instead of the elevator. These small changes can have a big impact on your overall health.

Eat as nature intended

Even if you can’t pick all your own fruit and catch all your own fish, you can still incorporate these principles at the supermarket. “Ask yourself whether or not the products that you buy could have been picked up in the nature in the country where you live,” Harju suggests. Buy seasonal produce and support local food retailers as often as possible to ensure that you’re eating according to the friluftsliv way.”